The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-10-21
THE WIDOW LESTER.

MAT, the widow Lester wants some
of her climbers nailed up this morn
ing. Are you almost through there?'
"No, mum, it'll take an hour r
two yit."
Mrs. Norris tapped her foot on the
walk reflectively.
II might have that bed and the trees
left until afternoon, l suppose" she
said, slowly. But"
What is up?" cried a voice behind
her, "Why, mother, you look worried.
Has our fortune dissolved in thin air,
or didn't your dress have the proper
amount of frills and humadiddles
when it came home? Confde in your
baby, mother"
"Ohl" laughed Mrs. Norris, turning
from her contemplation of the flower
beds and Mat. Nothing serious, only
the widow Lester wanted Mat a little
while this morning, and want my
beds finished"
"Who's the widow LESTER" queried
Tom Norris, yawning. Anybody /
ever knew? Any OF my old girls got
married and been be. widowed? Don't
tell me suddenly. II its Mamie Craig,
or Sarah Prescott, Or"
Nonsense, Tom, it is nobody you
aver saw, that know of. She's a
very pretty little woman, with a very
pretty little daughter. She came to
Wiiburton six months ago, and lives
in the white cottage across the COM
mon. do wish Matt were through"
"Look here, mother" said Tom,
suddenly, Why can't go? Here |
am, doing nothing. What's to hinder
me from making myself as useful as
/ am ornamental? And / am always
interested in widows, you know-or
their daughters, which is all the same"
tI wish you would 60, Tom," Mrs.
Norris said, Frightening. 81 hate to
have Mat leave the beds, and you
couldn't do them, / know; but you can
certainly nail up a few vines. / hate
to have her wait, too, so you better
go"
Tom put on his coat, and run his
fingers through his curly locks.
II shall tell her Pm the new hired
man, / think" he said, as he took up
his hat. What name would you give,
il you we're me2 Pat sounds well, but
it's too much like Mat. But | could
say, quite impromptu, you know:
" Mrs. Norris discharged her man called
Mat,
And hired another whose name was Pat, =
"Tom," said Mrs. Norris, impatient
", though she was laughing. "Will
you 60 on? heard Mrs. Lester say
that she wanted to 90 TO the city this
afternoon, and Idon't expect you viii
get there before she goes, you are so
slow
you don't appreciate my poetical
efforts" grumbled Tom. But he dial.
lied no longer, and was soon ~unfasten-
ing the wicket gate which guarded the
entrance to a pretty, well.kept little
garden which was n mass of bloom.
A blue-eyed child was playing on the
~vine-covered porch.
who is 'oo?" she asked, as Tom
came leisurely up and patted her on
the head.
"Tm the man to nail climbers, 2 re-
turned Tom. who is oo?' in playful
mimicry.
.Pse Miss Katie Lester 'Vangeine, 7"
said she. drawing herself up withpride.
uAnd dis" exhibiting a doll half as
large as herself, 'is my baby. Her
names Miss Delphlne Mazda Lester,
an hers free months old.
Large Of her size,n laughed Tom.
"Where's anyoody2"
There was & soft patter OF slippered
feet. a rustling Of woman's garments,
and Tom raised his eyes to encounter
q pair Of very blue ones surveying him
inQuiringly.
He lifted his hat to the owner OF the
blue ewes, who was an exceedingly
pretty young lady ii . gray and black
IA am Tom Norris ne began.
Mrs.. Lester wanted some vines fx-
IA. j believe, and as our man was
busy. I volunteered to come. My
mother said she thought / could man
aee them, with q twinkle IN ms
eyes.
The young lady smiled and cams
an aIad you came she said
simply. III couldn't manage then
alone. Wait 4 minute till l get my
hat, and ! will show you where they
are.
She trinped into The hall and seized
4 huoe garden hat from the rack
Then she led the way AROUND th'
house to where some climbing roses
sadly needed attention
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